Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 518 Preparatory Measures
The autumn sky was clear and cloudless.

The warm sunlight shone on the vast expanse of blue water, as if it were plated with a layer of gold.

A gentle breeze swept by, creating ripples that spread out in layers.

Not far away, amidst the verdant, rolling mountains, hundreds of cultivators dressed in Hunyuan Sect attire stood in neat rows outside the mountain gate, led by Lin Zixiang and Hu Xiaobao.

No one made a sound; everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of Song Xian's escape light. Immediately, everyone bowed and shouted, "Welcome, Sect Leader!"

"Congratulations, Sect Leader, on successfully completing your Core Formation and entering a new realm of cultivation." Lin Zixiang stepped forward, bowed, and gave a respectful greeting, his gaze somewhat complicated.

"Congratulations, Sect Leader." Hu Xiaobao stood beside him, his expression also revealing envy.

Song Xian said nothing and walked straight ahead. The two automatically separated to make way for him.

He stood before his disciples, his gaze sweeping over them from above. Everyone lowered their heads and waited for his instructions.

Song Xian delivered a series of grand and eloquent words, encouraging everyone to cultivate diligently. He then strode into the mountain gate and inquired about recent sect affairs.

Just then, a disciple entered from outside and reported to him that Huo Youming had come to request an audience.

Before long, he was brought into the main hall.

"Congratulations, Sect Leader Song! Congratulations! Sect Leader Song's journey to Xijiang County to attempt the Golden Core stage was eagerly anticipated by your entire sect, and even our disciples prayed for your success. Sect Leader Song has indeed lived up to expectations and has now broken through to the Golden Core realm. This is not only a blessing for your entire sect, but also an honor for our sect."

Huo Youming entered from outside, with a warm, spring-like smile on his face. He immediately bowed and offered a long string of congratulatory words.

It was clear that his joy was genuine.

Hua Yuanzong is now completely dependent on Hun Yuanzong and can only survive by relying on Hun Yuanzong.

Song Xian treated them well, entrusting them with the management of several industries under the sect. The largest of these was the trade between the Muhe Grassland and Xijiang County, where they were responsible for transporting goods for trade between the two sides. Other smaller industries included refining beast pills and raising low-level spirit beasts.

With these earnings, while they wouldn't make a fortune, they were enough to cover basic expenses.

If we compare the Hunyuan Sect to a large ship, then Huo Youming and the others are like small boats attached to it. Only by relying on the large ship to withstand the wind and waves can they move forward steadily.

They naturally hoped that the Hunyuan Sect would remain as stable as possible, just as the saying goes, when the main river is full, the tributaries are full; when the main river is dry, the tributaries are dry.

Song Xian's breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm is almost entirely beneficial to them, especially since Huo Youming is hoping to rely on the Hunyuan Sect to reclaim Yongning City. This is only possible after Song Xian breaks through to the Golden Core Realm; otherwise, how can they contend with the Mingyue Sect?

Conversely, if Song Xian, like Luo Huang, the former head of Huayuan Sect, not only failed to achieve the Golden Core formation but also lost his life.

That would undoubtedly be another devastating blow to them. Huo Youming knew very well that the reason they were able to establish themselves in Bianxi City was because of Song Xian's support.

If Song Xian were no longer around, with each new emperor bringing a new court, it would be hard to say whether they would still be able to stay in Bianxi City.

He knew that not everyone welcomed them; in fact, many within the Hunyuan Sect complained that they had seized spiritual veins and assets.

Therefore, Huo Youming was no less delighted than the others in Hunyuanzong about Song Xian's successful formation of the Golden Core.

"Fellow Daoist Huo, please have a seat." With a single glance from Song Xian, Lin Zixiang, Hu Xiaobao, Jiang Zichen, and the others all stood up and left.

They had just been discussing this matter, so they naturally knew what Song Xian was going to do next. Therefore, he gave them a look, and they all understood.

When Huo Youming saw that everyone else had left after he arrived, he was a little surprised, but he didn't pay much attention. This was the Hunyuan Sect's mountain gate, and they would naturally not reveal any secrets to an outsider like him when they were discussing matters.

"Fellow Daoist Huo, please have a seat." Song Xian waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

Huo Youming flipped his hand and took out an exquisite wooden box, handing it over: "I am deeply grateful for the care and attention of Sect Leader Song over the years. I have nothing to repay you with, so this is a small token of my sect's appreciation. I hope you will not find it offensive and may use it as a reward for a junior."

Song Xian took the wooden box and opened it without hesitation. Inside was a golden talisman with a lifelike black ruler engraved on it, which was a talisman treasure.

He calmly put away his words: "Fellow Daoist Huo, you are very kind. You have come at the right time. I was just about to send someone to invite you. There is something I want to discuss with you."

"What are your orders, Sect Leader Song?"

"You probably won't be able to stay in Bianxi City any longer."

"What?" Huo Youming's bottom, which had just sat down, jerked back up as if it had caught fire. The smile on his face froze instantly, replaced by disbelief.

"Is Sect Leader Song joking with me?!"

At the same time, his mind was racing, unable to understand why Song Xian would suddenly say such a thing. "Fellow Daoist Huo, please don't get agitated, please sit down first."

"Sect Leader Song, what is the reason for this?" Huo Youming's mood plummeted, his face turned pale, and he sat down absentmindedly, staring straight at him.

"I had no choice. The Beast Taming Sect declared that the Huayuan Sect no longer exists, and internal strife is no longer allowed in Xijiang County. This was said by Senior Hong Haoran himself. If I were to take you in, I would be going against Senior Hong."

"The Beast Taming Sect." Huo Youming gritted his teeth. In front of Song Xian, he couldn't very well curse Hong Haoran. "Why did they suddenly bring this up?"

Song Xian explained in detail: "I suspect that Xu Zhuoxuan must have said something to Senior Hong in private. Otherwise, why would someone of his status care about such a trivial matter?"

"Xu Zhuoxuan knew that my successful formation of the Golden Core might pose a threat to the Bright Moon Sect, so he went to Xijiang County to file a complaint against us."

“You know the relationship between Xu Zhuoxuan and Senior Hong. Senior Hong is always protective of his own, and the situation is tense right now.”

"so………"

"To tell you the truth, Senior Hong has issued an ultimatum, demanding that our sect deal with this matter as soon as possible."

"Fellow Daoist Huo, it's not that I'm heartless, but I really have no choice. I can no longer provide you with shelter. Either you try to persuade Senior Hong to take back his words, or you'll have to find another place to stay."

Huo Youming's face turned ashen, and his gaze became somewhat vacant. He sat there blankly, as if he had been attacked by divine sense.

A silence fell over the hall. Song Xian did not urge him, but simply gazed at him calmly.

"Sect Leader Song, is there really no other way? Is our sect forced to leave Bianxi City?" Huo Youming finally spoke after several dozen breaths.

“There is a way. It’s just that…” Song Xian paused deliberately, lost in thought.

"What method? Please enlighten me, Master Song?" Huo Youming's eyes lit up immediately, as if a drowning person had seen a lifeline.

Song Xian slowly said, "If you want to stay in Bianxi City, there is only one way: all of you must join our sect and then call yourselves disciples. In this way, the Beast Taming Sect will have no reason to drive you away again."

"Of course, this is just a smokescreen. Under the name of our sect, you can still maintain your independence and autonomy, and everything will remain the same as before. This is merely to give the Beast Taming Sect an explanation."

Huo Youming's expression changed slightly: "You want us to join your sect?"

“I know what you think. You might think that I am taking advantage of your vulnerability, or you might even think that Senior Hong’s words were just an excuse I made up.”

"Sect Leader Song, please don't misunderstand. I didn't mean that. It's just that at this moment..."

Song Xian waved his hand to interrupt him: "It doesn't matter what you think. I've just come up with a solution for you. The choice is yours. If you want to stay, then stay; if you don't want to stay, then leave Bianxi City. I'll give you seven days to think it over. That should be enough!"

"Thank you, Sect Leader Song. I won't disturb your peace any longer. Farewell." Huo Youming had no more interest in sitting there. After hearing this, he got up and left.

Watching his departing figure, Song Xian's eyes flickered slightly. In fact, when Huo Youming first came to join him, he had thought of absorbing these people into the sect, but the time was not right.

This group of people wouldn't even submit to the Bright Moon Sect, so how could they agree to join the Hunyuan Sect? Therefore, we can only proceed slowly.

The reason he treated this group of people so well was to establish his image of benevolence and win people's hearts.

The original plan was to make this plan after the core was formed and the time was right.

Unexpectedly, Hong Haoran brought up this matter as soon as Fang Yi reached the Core Formation stage. Although it caught him off guard, it was not a bad thing for him.

He could use this opportunity to recruit this group.

On the surface, he gave Huo Youming two choices, but in reality, he also made two preparations.

If Hua Yuanzong and his group refuse to listen to reason and choose to leave Xijiang County rather than compromise, he has already instructed Huang Ye to leak this information, including when they will leave and their route, to Mingyue Sect in advance.

Given Xu Zhuoxuan's personality, once he learned of the news, he would never sit idly by; he would definitely eliminate the threat completely to prevent future troubles.

With Huo Youming dead, the remaining people were leaderless and didn't know where to go. It would be easy for him to step forward and recruit them, persuade them to return to Bianxi City and join the Hunyuan Sect.

What if Huo Youming hadn't died? He certainly wouldn't let that happen.

If the people from the Bright Moon Sect fail, he can personally take action and eliminate them when they are alone, thus perfectly framing the Bright Moon Sect.

Of course, this is a contingency plan; he would not do it if absolutely necessary and hopes that Huo Youming can make the right decision.

(End of this chapter)